If Bush goes, he'll be a cap casualty if the guy they just signed from Hawaii impresses in camp. They'll need more $$$$ to sign Cobb, Nelson, etc. It's just business. TT gets that....
Originally Posted by Iowacheese:
Unlike all the Michael Sam fans around here...some of us still like Bush.
Ok, wait. Are we talking about Bush? Or are we talking about Bush?
I prefer runway strip or shaved.
I won't be shocked if Bush survives, but I will be surprised
If Clay can be a very good gunner/special teamer the guy I think had better watch out is Ryan Taylor.
Took a cut at this. Was tougher than I can ever remember. And that doesn't include some of these no-name undrafted college free agents surprising, as one or two always do. Bottom line, I think this is absolutely a Super-Bowl competitive team on paper (when healthy!), and this year more than the last couple looks better prepared to go head-to-head with Seattle and San Francisco.
OFFENSE
QB (3): Rodgers (30), Flynn, Tolzien
Cut: Rettig
Free Agent (FA): Wallace (33)
Comments: Have kept only 2 at times on active roster last few years, but see no way to do that in '14. Tolzien has potential to pass Flynn to be #2. Assuming Rettig just a camp arm, doesn't read like he has any great long-term potential. So if McCarthy wants another QB on the Practice Squad (PS) to develop, guessing it'll be a late pickup (cut from another team) not currently on our roster. All but a given Wallace won't be resigned.
HB (4): Lacy, Starks, Harris, Franklin
Cut: Hill, Neal, Perkins
FA: Bell
Comments: Love the fact Thompson resigned Starks. Think he gives us a great 1-2 punch with Lacy. I think Harris and Franklin both make it if they're both 100% back from their injuries. Franklin has more potential, but McCarthy raved about Harris last off-season. Based on both Harris and Franklin's injury history, think you need to keep 4 HBs. Guessing one of the FA backs lands on the PS. Not expecting Bell to be resigned.
FB (1): Kuhn (31)
Cut: Liaina
Comments: Kuhn makes it one more season. Liaina makes PS.
TE (4): Quarless, Lyerla, Bostick, Rodgers (D-3B)
Cut: Taylor, Stonebreaker, Perillo
FA: Finley
Comments: Lyerla the obvious wildcard. Would likely have been at worst a 2nd round pick if not for his off-field troubles. If he has his head on straight, he overtakes Quarless at some point this season as our starter. Has great potential, excited about him. Quarless a good player, another year removed from that horrific injury. Bostick hopefully will take the next step, and stay healthy. Rodgers a likely lock, will have time to develop. Cutting Taylor, Stonebreaker no big losses. We've improved our hand. Unit looks good, even without Finley. I know there's still a chance, but think odds of him returning to GB low.
WR (5): Nelson, Cobb, Boykin, Adams (D-2), Abbrederis (D-5B)
Cut: Janis (D-7), Harper, Dorsey, White, Gillet
Comments: First off, would ideally like to keep 6, but don't see easy way to do. Expect at least 2 make the PS, most likely Janis and Dorsey. Both have size and speed, need development. Don't know what Packers think of Harper, a 4th round pick (by Seattle) only a year ago. He's a real wild card to keep an eye on. White has excellent speed, supposedly added a few pounds, but I think surpassed by Janis and Dorsey.
OL (8): Bakhitari, Sitton, Tretter, Lang, Bulaga, Sherrod, Linsley (D-5A), Barclay
Cut: Taylor, Adams, Tiller, Gerhart, McCray, Vujnovich, Fullington
Comments: Tretter, Linsley battle to be starting C, loser backs the other up, helps provide insurance at G as well. Wild card here is Sherrod. Pulling for him to finally be 100% healthy, show everyone why Thompson made him a #1 pick. Because of his lack of game experience, he remains a back-up for now at OT on left side. Barclay becomes key backup at RT and G. Like Taylor as a backup G, but don't see Packers able to keep 9. No good guess yet on which of the cuts makes the PS.
DEFENSE
DL (6): D. Jones, Raji, Boyd, Daniels, Worthy, Thornton (D-3A)
Cut: Guion, Pennel, Gray, Robinson
FA: Jolly (31), Pickett (34)
Comments: Keep in mind a couple of the guys I have at LB will at times play DL: Peppers, Neal, Perry. So 6 true DL should be plenty. Hardest cut was Guion. Not because I think he's a key player, but just because Thompson had something in mind when they signed him as a FA from the Vikings. Maybe he's insurance if Worthy does not finally show something after being now fully recovered from injury. Worthy's the wild card in this group. Hoping he, like Sherrod, can finally show why Thompson traded up in the 2nd round 2 years ago to get him. Still think about how Worthy while at Michigan State tore through those big, talented Wisconsin offensive lines. If Raji plays up to his ability at NT, D. Jones emerges in his 2nd year, Daniels continues to produce and Boyd continues to progress, we'll really have an active, young set of DL that can run and disrupt. Anything Thornton adds as a rookie would be gravy. Pennel huge, maybe good enough for PS. Don't see room for Jolly due to his neck injury and age, and certainly not Pickett due mostly to his age, but also inability to run anymore.
LB (10): Matthews, Peppers (34), Perry, Neal, Bradford (D-4), Hubbard, Hawk (30), B. Jones, Barrington, Lattimore
Cut: Mulumba, Palmer, Elliott, Thomas, Doughty, Aiyewa
FA: Francois
Comments: 10 is a lot, but again, some of these guys are playing DL part-time. As well, just too many talented guys not to keep. And McCarthy loves backup LBs for Special Teams. Lots of exciting pass-rush potential in Matthews, Peppers, Perry, Neal and now Bradford. Still see Bradford though on the inside. I actually would rank B. Jones as the 10th LB, possibly cut him. Just don't know what the Packers see in him. He sticks -- for now. Barrington impressed me in pre-season last year, could emerge. Liked what I saw of Lattimore. Seems Hubbard would have been about a 3rd round pick if not for his heart issue, which is now a non-issue. Love his size (6-6, 257), long arms, experience as an Alabama starter. He offers more upside than Mulumba or Palmer, who I hate to get rid of -- especially Mulumba -- who I see no room for.
CB (5): Shields, Williams (31), Hayward, House, Goodson (D-6)
Cut: Bush (30), Rolle, Dennard, White
Comments: Will be nice to have Hayward back. Still a big House fan. Hope Goodson's self proclamation that he's a steal proves true. I put Hyde at S, but with his ability to play CB, I'm keeping only 5. So Bush, still an excellent ST player, but also now 30, finally falls short.
S (4): Burnett, Clinton-Dix (D-1), Hyde, Richardson
Cut: Banjo, Miller, Clay
Comments: Easiest of all offensive and defensive units to predict. No tough cuts. Hoping like everyone else that Clinton-Dix proves worthy of his #1 selection, allows Burnett to snap back from a terrible year. McCarthy said he wants to see Hyde on the field a lot more, so he's a semi-starter at both S and CB. Just hoping Richardson can show further development. Great size and speed.
SPECIAL TEAMS
(3): Crosby, Masthay, Goode
Comments: Don't remember Packers ever going to camp with no competition at PK or P. Not complaining, as I think we're strong with Crosby and Masthay.
ADDITIONAL NOTES:
Age: If above predictions play out, Packers have only the following players on the roster 30 or over: Peppers (34), Kuhn (31), Williams (31), Rodgers (30), Hawk (30). And likely replacements are already on roster for all of them except Rodgers, where a true replacement not needed for a few more years. Likely replacements: Peppers - Perry, Neal, Hubbard; Kuhn - Liaina; Williams - Hayward, House, Goodson; Hawk - Bradford, Barrington, Lattimore.
2015 Draft: Just for kicks, if I was drafting for need, my prediction: 1 - ILB, 2 - ILB, 3 - CB, 4 - NT, 5 - QB, 6 - KR, 7 - FB. Doesn't include some likely compensatory picks for losing C Dietrich-Smith, WR J. Jones, OT Newhouse, DE Wilson, S Jennings, and signing none (Peppers and Guion don't count in formula).
Good analysis. Agreed that getting the list to 53 isn't a walk in the park. Some decent players will be headed to the PS. Hope most of them stay there.
Thank you Schumer.
Now I can focus on Beisbol until late July.
That's a good attempt Schumer. Gebins to you sir.
Not that it's necessarily wishful thinking, but those cryptic tweets from the Finley clan along with GB not taking down Finley's locker I just get the feeling he will be back. I don't know if he'll be ready by the start of the season but if he is AND he's healthy I don't see how he isn't the #1 TE going into 2014.
A 1 year prove it deal ...I can see it happening now.
Good job but I think worthy and Sherri's are sent packing in favor of Adams and guion
ThinkmClay replaces Bush on ST and House gets cut.
It is important to set the roster prior to Memorial day
It is even more important to comment on said activity.
I'm currently working on my inactive list for week 7. I guess I just see the game better than most.
I think the Packers are more likely to keep six WR (add Janis) and only three RB (drop Harris and add Rajon Neal to the PS).
Always remember special teams when it comes to cuts, that's why Clay, Janis and an LB who excels there can have an edge on getting to 53, and how Bush has built his career.
don't tell me what to do
Suit yourself.
Wait.
Finley in GB for testing on Weds per JSO
http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/sports/260867211.html
That may impact the 53 man roster...
Fingers crossed. A healthy Finley puts the offense in a different stratosphere.
Finley took the better part of a year after the knee injury before he started looking comfortable. This is a whole different kind of injury to come back from. Won't be easy for him to go down the seam.
Originally Posted by Satori:
Finley in GB for testing on Weds per JSO
http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/sports/260867211.html
That may impact the 53 man roster...
Well that story is a whole lot of maybe.
From Finley's agent
Easier 2 answer every1 at once: @JermichaelF88 is making tremendous strides, is in the best shape of his life, & this is a process
I'll paraphrase for Blake: Finley isn't playing this season.
Even assuming he is totally fine physically, his psychological state with respect to playing football is a complete wildcard.
Originally Posted by phaedrus:
Even assuming he is totally fine physically, his psychological state with respect to playing football is a complete wildcard.
Was Finley "touched" as a child?
Well Rusty....Let's crack a Sam Adams & discuss it
I KNEW this would all happen. If any of you idiots actually paid attention to THIS scene in the Three Amigos:
You would have foreseen it too.
Jeebus. It isn't always easy being this ****ing smart. It's a blessing and a curse.
While based on not much more than what we've read about guys running around in helmets and shorts, I nonetheless updated my prediction. My overall feeling remains the same: If healthy, this is as talented a roster as we've had in many years, and there will be a number of really, really hard roster decisions -- which is a great problem to have. Welcome, as always, your feedback.
OFFENSE
QB (3): Rodgers (30), Flynn, Tolzien
Cut: Rettig
Free Agent (FA): Wallace (33)
Practice Squad (PS): None
Comments: No change from last time. With Tolzien making the 53, I don't see devoting one of the 8 Practice Squad slots to developing another QB.
HB (3): Lacy, Starks, Harris
Cut: Hill, Neal, Perkins
FA: Bell
PS: Neal
Comments: Obvious change is unfortunate injury to and release of Franklin. Like reading that Harris looks 100% healthy, strong, quick. Expect Packers to go with 3 HBs, keeping an additional one on the PS. For now, will go with the bigger Neal (5-11, 220) over Hill (5-10, 210) or Perkins (5-7, 195). But whichever of the 3 most impresses in camp and pre-season fine with me.
FB (1): Kuhn (31)
Cut: Liaina
PS: None
Comments: No change from last time. Might like to develop Liaina on PS, but right now see no room for.
TE (4): Quarless, Bostick, Rodgers (D-3B), Lyerla
Cut: Taylor, Stoneburner, Perillo
FA: Finley
PS: None
Comments: No change from last time. Came close to cutting Bostick, but not after McCarthy raved about him. With glowing (initial) reports about Rodgers, and Lyerla appearing to have his head on straight, I love the potential and versatility of this group. Starter could conceivably be any one of these 4. Convinced more so than ever that Finley won't be back, and not just because of his neck. I think the money they'd need to give him will instead need to go to Nelson/Cobb extensions. Like Taylor and Stoneburner, but replaced and upgraded by additions of Rodgers and Lyerla. With 4 TEs making the 53, no TE makes the PS.
WR (6): Nelson, Cobb, Boykin, Adams (D-2), Harper, Janis (D-7)
Cut: Abbrederis (D-5B), Dorsey, White, Gillet
PS: Abbrederis (D-5B)
Comments: Relatively significant changes here. Keeping 6 WRs instead of 5. And have both Harper and Janis making 53, Abbrederis making PS. Maybe I'm selling Abbrederis too short here, and understand he offers potential to be our primary punt returner. But at 6-1, 195 and reading how thin he looks, how he needs a year of weight training, I'm more inclined to rank the size and potential of both Harper and Janis above him. I had said everyone forgot about Harper, but he was a 4th round Seattle pick just a year ago, and at 6-1, 228 represents an exciting, Anquan Boldin-type option. It would have been easy to keep Abbrederis over Janis as Abbrederis was taken 2 rounds earlier, but the initial OTA/mini-camp reports on Janis seem very positive. His size (6-3, 219) and speed offer greater upside than Abbrederis. Perhaps Abbrederis is just the better route runner and overall WR. We'll see. Dorsey is another forgotten guy, a 7th round size/speed prospect (6-1, 207) from last year (along with Charles Johnson, who we lost to Cleveland), who seems to be 100% healthy and impressing the coaches. Very possible he could make the PS as well.
OL (8): Bakhitari, Sitton, Tretter, Lang, Bulaga, Sherrod, Linsley (D-5A), Barclay
Cut: Taylor, Adams, Tiller, Gerhart, McCray, Vujnovich, Fullington
PS: Adams, Tiller
Comments: No change from last time. All good news so far. Bakhitari stronger. Tretter looking good. Bulaga 100% healthy, bigger/stronger. Good first impressions by Linsley. But maybe most of all, excited about Sherrod. At 6-6, 321, he's our biggest OL, and multiple writers have commented how physically imposing he looks. As well, Campen said Sherrod is moving very well, looks great. Can't wait to see what we hear when the pads go on. 2 OL on PS may be too much. For now, going with OT Adams (6-5, 303) over Fullington and Vujnovich, and G Tiller (6-4, 324) over Taylor and McCray. Like Taylor from last year, but don't see him making 53, and don't believe unfortunately he's eligible for PS.
DEFENSE
DL (7): D. Jones, Raji, Daniels, Boyd, Worthy, Thornton (D-3A), Guion
Cut: Pennel, Gray, Robinson
FA: Jolly (31), Pickett (34)
PS: Pennel
Comments: Change from last time is keeping 7 instead of 6, with Guion making 53. But admit that 7 seems heavy for this position, especially with how often we play nickel, and will guys listed at LB who can play on the DL -- Peppers, Neal, possibly Perry. I think Jones, Raji, Daniels, Boyd and Thornton are locks as first 5. In spite of missing OTAs and mini-camp, still expecting Worthy to show he's healthy and talented. I had Guion not making the 53 last time. But Thompson signed him for a reason, and for now he's the only true backup at NT to Raji. Then again, Pennel can be that backup NT and brought up from the PS if needed. So assuming no one gets injured, I just find this position group tough to get down to the more logical 6.
LB (9): Matthews, Peppers (34), Perry, Neal, Bradford (D-4), Hubbard, Hawk (30), B. Jones, Lattimore
Cut: Barrington, Mulumba, Palmer, Elliott, Thomas, Doughty
FA: Francois
PS: Barrington
Comments: Change from last time is keeping 9 instead of 10, with Barrington going to PS. What a good looking group on paper. Like Worthy, hoping whatever kept Perry out of OTAs and mini-camp will prove to be a non-issue come training camp. So badly want him in the mix at OLB with Matthews, Peppers and Neal. Also love Hubbard's potential, seeing what he looks like in camp and the pre-season. I was ready to cut Brad Jones until his position coach Moss gushed about him. Like reports about Packers putting Lattimore on field more. So with Barrington missing all last year because on injury, hoping they can stash him on PS. Plus, still think Bradford eventually ends up at ILB. I still like idea of Lattimore as starter next to Hawk, Barrington making the 53 and cutting Jones, but for now will go this way. If we keep only 6 DL, then perhaps we keep 10 LBs and both Jones and Barrington make 53. Hate to lose Mulumba and Palmer, but like at TE, I think they'll be replaced by players with greater upside in Bradford and Hubbard.
CB (5): Shields, Williams (31), Hayward, House, Goodson (D-6)
Cut: Bush (30), Rolle, Dennard, White
PS: Rolle
Comments: No change from last time. If Rolle stays healthy, makes PS on potential. Need a CB on the PS if we keep only 5. Although Hyde could always move here in a pinch.
S (4): Burnett, Clinton-Dix (D-1), Hyde, Richardson
Cut: Banjo, Miller, Clay
PS: Miller
Comments: No change from last time. Just glad to see Hyde being given full shot at S, and reading how good Richardson is looking so far. Again, on paper, as a foursome, this group looking so much better than last couple of years.
SPECIAL TEAMS
(3): Crosby, Masthay, Goode
Comments: No change from last time. Great group. No need to fix what isn't broke.
I always enjoy sschumer's work on the roster, thanks for putting it together and sharing your insight. IF they all stay healthy, some good players will be left out
So on offense we have 1 spot for:
Flynn
Abbredaris
Taylor
Stoneburner
Lane Taylor
And on defense we have 1 spot for:
Barrington
Jolly
Mulumba
Hubbard
Bush
Banjo
In most years, I think you could call Abbredaris a 4th rounder, but he was really pushed down the draft list by the wealth of WR's this year. Highly doubt he makes it to PS, somebody would grab him same as we grabbed Harper. If Tolzien steps up, Flynn is gone, although Rodgers does like having him around
On defense, I think Mulumba beats out Hubbard, he's got a year in the system and showed some flashes pre-injury. Hubbard needs time and could go to PS. Barrington would be a very tough cut, TC will sort that out . GB didn't draft his replacement at ILB
Only option I see for Jolly is to enter camp on PUP and then get stashed till October
Looks like a solid bunch with depth